Which Bible Translation Is Best? Part 1
Dear Phil,
Why are there so many modern English translations, and which one is the best for studying the Bible?
Thanks,
Robbin
Why are there so many modern English translations, and which one is the best for studying the Bible?
Thanks,
Robbin
Dear Robbin,
In the midst of a bewildering number of English translations, the first thing we ought to do is give God thanks that we have His Word in our own language. For hundreds of years, people had to learn Hebrew, Greek, or Latin if they wanted to read God’s Word. John Wycliffe risked his reputation and life to translate God’s Word into English for the first time in the 1380s. William Tyndale, who gave us our first printed English Bible in 1525/6, was martyred for his work of publishing the Bible in English. At that time his opponents believed that “The New Testament translated into [English] is…the fuel of sin…the protection of disobedience, the corruption of discipline, the depravity of morals…[and] the well-spring of vices….” Imagine that! We owe much to these and other men who were willing to lay down their lives so that you and I could read God’s Word in our own language.
Second, we need to understand the different purposes of different translations so we can know how to use them properly. Let me start with the New International Version (NIV). The purpose of the NIV’s translators was to produce an accurate, readable translation that was “faithful to the thought of the biblical writers” (NIV preface). The twofold result was a version: (1) that is highly readable, and (2) that is more interpretative than the King James Version (KJV) and some other modern versions (e.g., New American Standard Bible, New King James Version). Because of its readability, I recommend the NIV as a reading Bible, particularly in the Old Testament prophets. If you want to read through large portions of the Bible, getting a good overview and general understanding of the text, the NIV is a valuable translation.
Because of its interpretiveness, I don’t recommend it as a study Bible, despite the fact that the NIV study Bible is very popular. The NIV often makes interpretive decisions without letting the reader know. A good study Bible will preserve both the clarity and the ambiguity of the original language. Admittedly this is a difficult task, but a student of God’s Word should have the opportunity to consider the interpretive options that the original languages leave open. Let me give you one example. In the NIV, James says, “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” (James 1:14 NIV). The translators have interpreted the Greek word epithumia as “evil desire,” even though the word means only “desire.” In this case, the NIV is not only interpretive, but it is wrong. We are not enticed only by evil desires. We are also often enticed to fulfill legitimate desires in wrong ways.
Next time I’ll try to explain the purposes and values of the NASB and the NKJV.
Blessings,
Phil
In the midst of a bewildering number of English translations, the first thing we ought to do is give God thanks that we have His Word in our own language. For hundreds of years, people had to learn Hebrew, Greek, or Latin if they wanted to read God’s Word. John Wycliffe risked his reputation and life to translate God’s Word into English for the first time in the 1380s. William Tyndale, who gave us our first printed English Bible in 1525/6, was martyred for his work of publishing the Bible in English. At that time his opponents believed that “The New Testament translated into [English] is…the fuel of sin…the protection of disobedience, the corruption of discipline, the depravity of morals…[and] the well-spring of vices….” Imagine that! We owe much to these and other men who were willing to lay down their lives so that you and I could read God’s Word in our own language.
Second, we need to understand the different purposes of different translations so we can know how to use them properly. Let me start with the New International Version (NIV). The purpose of the NIV’s translators was to produce an accurate, readable translation that was “faithful to the thought of the biblical writers” (NIV preface). The twofold result was a version: (1) that is highly readable, and (2) that is more interpretative than the King James Version (KJV) and some other modern versions (e.g., New American Standard Bible, New King James Version). Because of its readability, I recommend the NIV as a reading Bible, particularly in the Old Testament prophets. If you want to read through large portions of the Bible, getting a good overview and general understanding of the text, the NIV is a valuable translation.
Because of its interpretiveness, I don’t recommend it as a study Bible, despite the fact that the NIV study Bible is very popular. The NIV often makes interpretive decisions without letting the reader know. A good study Bible will preserve both the clarity and the ambiguity of the original language. Admittedly this is a difficult task, but a student of God’s Word should have the opportunity to consider the interpretive options that the original languages leave open. Let me give you one example. In the NIV, James says, “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” (James 1:14 NIV). The translators have interpreted the Greek word epithumia as “evil desire,” even though the word means only “desire.” In this case, the NIV is not only interpretive, but it is wrong. We are not enticed only by evil desires. We are also often enticed to fulfill legitimate desires in wrong ways.
Next time I’ll try to explain the purposes and values of the NASB and the NKJV.
Blessings,
Phil